When Beaver Creek was on the Map

 

## The Greenbrier Railroad: A Transportation Legacy

The sources primarily focus on the life and legend of Anne Bailey, offering limited direct information about a specific "Greenbrier Railroad." However, they do mention several railroads and transportation systems connected to Greenbrier County, West Virginia, which may provide relevant context for understanding the broader historical and economic landscape of the region.

### Iron Mountain and Greenbrier Railroad:

The most detailed account in the sources relates to the **Iron Mountain and Greenbrier Railroad**, later renamed the **White Sulphur and Huntersville Railroad**. Established in 1901, this railroad played a vital role in transporting timber and iron ore from the Iron Mountain area to processing centers. Source provides a comprehensive history of the railroad, detailing its construction, operation, and eventual abandonment in 1929.

Key aspects of this railroad, as highlighted in the sources, include:

* **Route:** The railroad ran from Beaver Creek in Pocahontas County to White Sulphur Springs in Greenbrier County, suggesting a close geographical connection to the broader Greenbrier region.
* **Economic Impact:**  The railroad significantly impacted the local economy, creating jobs and facilitating the growth of timber-related industries in Ronceverte and other areas.
* **Operational Challenges:** The sources describe the railroad's tracks as being in poor condition, leading to frequent derailments and operational difficulties.
* **Eventual Decline:**  The Iron Mountain and Greenbrier Railroad ceased operations in 1929, with its rails being salvaged and even shipped to China for other railroad projects.

### Other Transportation Systems:

While the Iron Mountain and Greenbrier Railroad is the most prominently featured, the sources also mention other transportation systems relevant to Greenbrier County:

 

* **Rafting on the Greenbrier River:**  Source describes a thriving lumber rafting industry on the Greenbrier River in the late 19th century, predating the arrival of railroads. This industry involved transporting large rafts of lumber downstream to Ronceverte for processing.
* **Staunton and Parkersburg Turnpike:**  This turnpike, completed in 1838, served as a major transportation route through the Allegheny Mountains, connecting Staunton, Virginia, to Parkersburg, West Virginia. Source notes that it was a heavily traveled route for both westward migration and commercial traffic.

### Conclusion:

While the sources do not provide specific information about a singular "Greenbrier Railroad," they do offer insights into the various transportation systems that have shaped Greenbrier County's history and economic development. The Iron Mountain and Greenbrier Railroad, in particular, stands out as a testament to the region's industrial past and its connection to the broader forces of resource extraction and transportation in the early 20th century.